The scratchy lace of my twelve-dollar thrift store dress rubbed against my collarbone every time I took a breath. We sat in the corner booth of the downtown diner, where …
I Married My Best Friend in a Twelve Dollar Thrift Store Dress Read More
The glass case in Main Street Jewelry always smelled faintly of ammonia and peppermint. Clara, who had worked behind the counter since my high school graduation, set the small blue …
A Gold Wristwatch Bought for an Anniversary Led to an Old Cedar Chest Read More
Chapter 1 — Waking: “We haven’t even buried her yet, and you’re already dividing up her things.” That was my mother’s voice, and it was the first thing I heard …
They Held My Funeral While I Was Still Breathing. Then My Seven-Year-Old Nephew Looked Into the Coffin and Said, “Mommy, Aunt Madelyn Is Looking at Me” Read More
The gray winter rain of Manhattan streaked the high windows of the executive office, turning the skyline into a blur of concrete and charcoal. On the corner of Ryan’s mahogany …
Three Baby Bassinets and an Office Key Replaced My Broken Marriage Read More
I sorted the white cotton t-shirts from the dark shorts, the laundry basket sitting between us on the yellow linoleum. The heat was already rising off the concrete driveway outside, …
Four Children Gave Their Father a Wrapped Gift That Ended His New Relationship Read More
The water in the sink was too hot, but I kept my hands in it anyway. Across the asphalt of Oak Lane, Barbara was dragging a heavy black contractor bag …
A Pink Cardigan and Three Picture Frames Left on the Curb Read More
The reading light over seat 8A flickered twice, then settled into a low, yellow hum that made the pages of Laura Vance’s paperback look like old parchment. In the cabin …
Air Force Veteran in Seat Eight A Solves Aviation Mystery Mid Flight Read More
The commercial refrigerator in the basement of First Methodist had a new, metallic rattle that made the folding tables vibrate. On the edge of the nearest table, my mother’s silver-plated …
A Black Limousine Arrived at My Trailer Two Weeks after My Husbands Funeral Read More
The silver frosting on the birthday cake had already begun to slide toward the edge of the plate. It was only eight in the morning, but the humidity in our …
Gold Earrings Found at a Flea Market Solved a Ten Year Mystery Read More
The final cardboard box from the moving truck had a split bottom that let three yellow plastic bowls slip onto the gravel. Olivia reached for them first, her mismatched red …
Blue Chevrolet Blocked a Lake View Until a Concrete Truck Arrived Read More